I'm going to research the kit right now... And the brace... If I can kill some of the shudder that would be perfect and I'm getting ready to service her shortly anyway!

The good part about the minimaxx was the optional transmission tune I bought... Made night and day difference. The truck doesn't struggle at in town speeds, no more shift to 5th and 6th at 30-40mph! Now she holds forth and locks the TC in 3rd and forth as a way to drop in gear revs without shifting, the truck is so much happier now and is ready to go at all speeds in town vs the chug along she did before.

I think that the plate kit and the bar might make that the perfect combo now... Im excited to hear about it!

The steering brace took away the wander I was getting after installing 35's.... The truck just seemed to walk around, like I had new found slop in the box, meanwhile alignment was perfect and the front is tight as can be... Installed the brace and it is perfect again. I guess that the steering box flexes on the frame with bigger tires, newer trucks take awhile to get to wander but older ones like mine seem to get it right away. The brace bolts both frame members together and also bolts to the box and keeps everything tight and in line... Made a big difference, on something like yours you would not feel much of a difference but you would be stopping the problem before it starts...

How hard was it to do the plate kit? Just drop the VB and go? I've played around in many a transmission but never one of ours!

I'm gonna have to get that brace then. I've heard about the wander issue from other 2500 owners who have either lifted or leveled with 35s or larger. A fella down the road from me here said he initially got the MOPAR updated parts but they cracked! So he got an aftermarket kit and has been very happy with it.

Brace installation took all of about 15 minutes.

The BD Diesel plate kit install is a bit more than some folks would want to do in their driveway or in their garage. You disconnect the shift linkage, loosen the pan, drain the fluid, drop the pan, pull the valve body out, partially disassemble the valve body, etc.... There is a good instruction manual on BD Diesel's site.

Also, it does require a bit of adjusting to the trans tune for the right line pressure settings, which they also describe in the manual.

For an experienced tech it would take about 2.5 - 3.0 hours. I took my time and spent almost 5 hours total time. I have to admit it was a bit nerve wracking at first (new truck, don't screw it up, new truck, you wanna drive it, DON'T SCREW THIS UP!!!!) but I got through it.

Hahaha! I hear ya there! When I cracked the heads off my 300 at 45k I remember thinking 'what the hell are you doing Rob!' but I was super committed at that point so I just rolled with it! Fast forward 10 or so years and I'm glad I did! Just have to tell yourself it's for the greater good! ☺ Now... A brand new truck... That's more than a nailbiting session!

Look to rough country for the brace... Took me twenty mins and it is a good product for the money (120 bucks I think...) well made and fit like a glove. You probably won't notice much, maybe you will, but if not,it's nice to know that you are stopping wear in the box before it starts!

I already have the trans brace in my shopping cart and I'm shopping transmission pans as we speak! Lol... I found a whole valve body, any thoughts on an all out replacement? I'm pulling my 38' fifth wheel with her so might be an idea to start to build this thing a bit... Or maybe just do what you did and then save my pennies for an ATS trans swap when mine lets out... Hmmmm?

I'm gonna have to get that brace then. I've heard about the wander issue from other 2500 owners who have either lifted or leveled with 35s or larger. A fella down the road from me here said he initially got the MOPAR updated parts but they cracked! So he got an aftermarket kit and has been very happy with it.

Brace installation took all of about 15 minutes.

The BD Diesel plate kit install is a bit more than some folks would want to do in their driveway or in their garage. You disconnect the shift linkage, loosen the pan, drain the fluid, drop the pan, pull the valve body out, partially disassemble the valve body, etc.... There is a good instruction manual on BD Diesel's site.

Also, it does require a bit of adjusting to the trans tune for the right line pressure settings, which they also describe in the manual.

For an experienced tech it would take about 2.5 - 3.0 hours. I took my time and spent almost 5 hours total time. I have to admit it was a bit nerve wracking at first (new truck, don't screw it up, new truck, you wanna drive it, DON'T SCREW THIS UP!!!!) but I got through it.

I don't know that you need a new valve body. Your stock one, with the plate kit and the tuning, should do quite well. They don't really wear out and many of them are machined to be more performance oriented handling huge pressures, almost a race truck sort of configuration. I'd save the money for a rebuild, if needed, later on.

The only thing I'd look at is how to get the line pressures where they need to be as noted in the plate kit instructions.

I don't know that you need a new valve body. Your stock one, with the plate kit and the tuning, should do quite well. They don't really wear out and many of them are machined to be more performance oriented handling huge pressures, almost a race truck sort of configuration. I'd save the money for a rebuild, if needed, later on.

The only thing I'd look at is how to get the line pressures where they need to be as noted in the plate kit instructions.

Thanks for the info on the steering box brace.

Gotcha! I ordered it, the pan and the upper brace as recommended! The H&S will increase line pressure up to what is required (250 I believe it said) and higher if needed... The tuning software is pretty good that way. I'm excited to get this sorted!

I love the color of your truck... Wish I could have found one that color! I went with this one.... Oh...and also a pick of a new pair of shoes on the C!

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